Kinesiology
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Program Contact Information
Website: www.health.utah.edu/health-kinesiology-recreation/kinesiology/
HPER Complex North, Rm 241
Phone: 801-581-7558
Email: kinesadvisor@utah.edu
Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology is a versatile degree. Defined as “the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life” (www.AmericanKinesiology.org), Kinesiology offers students opportunities to explore physical movement and human health and experience from multiple perspectives. Three emphases, each with unique capstone options, allow students to tailor the degree to suit their professional interests and aspirations. All three emphases engage students in courses that reinforce skills (such as critical thinking, problem solving, oral and written communication) transferable to many career paths. Kinesiology is designated a STEM degree, which is helpful to those interested in health sciences careers.
Pre-Health Professions Emphasis.
Students in the Pre-Health Professions emphasis will gain essential content in Kinesiology, addressing complex physiological, mechanical, sociological, psychological, and behavioral content through the lens of human movement. The emphasis affords scheduling flexibility for students planning to pursue careers in healthcare, such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dietetics, pharmacology, audiology, speech and language pathology, and recreational therapy.
Exercise in Health and Disease Emphasis.
Students in the Exercise in Health and Disease Emphasis will gain the necessary content knowledge, critical thinking skills, and exercise programming skillset necessary to become a successful exercise professional, both in the applied and research contexts. Students will gain competence in working with all individuals (e.g., across the lifespan, apparently healthy, and individuals living with chronic disease). The skillset and knowledge attained from this emphasis are transferrable to other areas and positions in healthcare and health-related research.
Movement Science Emphasis.
Students in the Movement Science Emphasis will gain a deeper, more structured understanding of how humans move, from neural control to mechanics, and how to assess movement in healthy and clinical populations. Students will gain transferable knowledge and skills in neurophysiology, neuroscience, biomechanics, and the analysis of human movement using new and emerging technology. These areas will enable students to pursue a wide range of future opportunities, including medical school, multidisciplinary graduate school programs, and industry.
The B.S. in Kinesiology aligns with the values and strategic priorities of the College of Health that aims to prepare future leaders in challenging educational and occupational settings with a goal to improve the human healthspan.